KATHMANDU: On the day of Bhaitika, the Balgopaleshwar temple located in the center of Rani Pokhari, which opens only once a year, saw thousands of devotees come to offer prayers and receive blessings.
Many people without siblings visited the temple to perform rituals and receive tika. This year, devotees began arriving as early as 6 AM.
Nabin Manandhar, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and chair of Ward 17, confirmed that the temple opened at 6 AM and would remain open as long as devotees continued to come.
Dipak K.C., a community police volunteer at the old bus park, noted that the temple was bustling with visitors from morning until evening. He observed that this year, more devotees came compared to previous years.
At the temple, those without siblings participate in the tika ceremony. Nisha Ali Khan, another community police committee member, also noted the increased number of visitors this year, many of whom received tika before leaving.
Ramesh Kapali, who works at the temple, remarked on the significant crowd throughout the day.
Some women were seen putting tika and blessings to those without siblings.
Community police members, alongside Metropolitan and Nepal Police, ensured security in the temple area throughout the day.
Crowds at Khajjaneshwar temple
Similarly, at the Khajjaneshwar Mahadev temple in Jayabageshwori, many individuals without siblings received tika.
Cultural expert and former member of the Pashupatinath Development Fund, Dr. Govinda Tandon, explained that it is customary for those without siblings to perform these rituals.
The Balgopaleshwar Temple in Rani Pokhari has been regularly opened on this day since 1978. The Newar community celebrates Bhaitika as Kijapuja. Some Newars also performed Kijapuja a day earlier.
In Basantapur, groups without siblings participated in a collective tika ceremony. Anjali Didi, known for her dedication, has been organizing these collective blessings for 26 years on Bhaitika.
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